ABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción: El mercurio circula por el aire; persiste en suelos, sedimentos y agua, y causa efectos en la salud humana. Las mujeres en edad fértil y los neonatos son la población más vulnerable. Objetivo: Analizar las evidencias sobre la carga de enfermedad ocasionada por la exposición a mercurio, así como el impacto económico sobre el sistema de salud. Metodología: Revisión de alcance de la literatura, de las bases de datos PUBMED y EPISTEMONIKOS, búsqueda manual de documentos técnicos de entidades oficiales de diferentes continentes. Resultados: Se identificaron 311 registros en bases de datos y 4 en búsqueda manual en entidades oficiales; 19 artículos fueron incluidos. Discusión: Predomina la afectación del desarrollo neurológico y cognitivo en niños de madres expuestas y lactantes. Los costos se midieron por la pérdida del coeficiente intelectual. Conclusión: Efectos en salud por la exposición a metilmercurio se traducen en gastos para la sociedad y los sistemas de salud.
Abstract Introduction: Mercury circulates through the air, persists in soils, sediments and water, and can affect human health. Women of childbearing age and newborns are the most vulnerable population. Objective: To analyze the evidence on the burden of disease caused by mercury exposure, as well as the economic impact on the health system. Methodology: Review of the literature, PUBMED and EPISTEMONIKOS databases, manual search of technical documents of official entities from different continents. Results: A total of 311 records were identified in databases and four in manual searches from official entities; 19 articles were included. Discussion: Neurological and cognitive development in children of exposed mothers and infants are more predominant. Costs were measured by IQ loss. Conclusion: Health effects of methylmercury exposure translate into costs for society and health systems.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Health Care Costs , Cognitive Dysfunction , Global Burden of Disease , Intellectual Disability , MercuryABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This article presents a review of the evidence on child labor, in three aspects: 1. The characteristics of children which make them vulnerable to labor; 2. The diseases and accidents related with child labor, and 3. The injuries associated with the childs' occupations, such as agriculture, construction, manufacture, textiles, leather industry, street sales and sales in marketplaces. METHODS: The Medline, EBSCO, PROQUEST and HINARI databases were searched, and material from the International Labor Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Association of Psychology was reviewed. RESULTS: Information regarding occupational risk in children is poor as compared with information in adults. Children have characteristics which make them particularly vulnerable to occupational risks and there are no clear standards to protect them.